Atlas Ocean Voyages is expanding its 2028/29 Antarctica season to 25 expeditions sailing between October 2028 and March 2029, doubling its Drake Fly & Sail departures from two to four and adding longer itineraries reaching the Antarctic Circle, South Georgia, and the Falkland Islands.
Three Drake Passage Options
The season is structured around three distinct approaches to the Drake Passage. The expanded Fly & Sail program pairs a sea crossing in one direction with a private charter flight over the other on nine-night itineraries. Drake Express voyages fly both directions, delivering guests six full days on the Antarctic Peninsula across a seven-night program. Classic Antarctic Discovery expeditions make the full roundtrip sea crossing on nine-night journeys, preserving the traditional maritime experience that has long defined polar travel.
"Antarctica has a remarkable ability to change the way you see the world," said James A. Rodriguez, president and chief executive officer of Atlas Ocean Voyages. "Our 2028/29 season offers guests more ways to experience this transformative destination, while preserving what defines an Atlas Polar Expedition: intimate exploration, expert-led discovery and highly personalized service aboard our yachts."
Extended Southern Ocean Itineraries
For travelers seeking more remote territory, two 12-night Crossing the Antarctic Circle expeditions venture south of 66°33' South, providing seven dedicated expedition days in Antarctica's interior landscapes. An 18-night Grand Antarctica voyage departing Jan. 7, 2029, combines the Antarctic Peninsula with South Georgia's king penguin colonies and the rugged birdlife of the Falkland Islands — one of the most comprehensive Southern Ocean itineraries the line has offered.
The season also carries historical resonance: the Nov. 16, 2028, Antarctic Discovery departure will mark exactly 100 years since Sir Hubert Wilkins and Carl Ben Eielson departed Deception Island on the first powered flight over Antarctica in 1928.
What's Included and What's on Sale
Every Atlas Polar Expedition includes a pre-expedition hotel stay, charter air where applicable, destination briefings, guided shore landings, Zodiac safaris, expedition gear, and the Polar Plunge. Each voyage is led by a multidisciplinary expedition team of up to 17 experts covering wildlife, geology, history, and environment. Optional sea kayaking and Antarctic camping are available on select departures. Holiday departures are also slotted throughout the season for guests who want to spend Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's, or Valentine's Day in the Southern Ocean.
To mark the season launch, Atlas is offering up to 10% Bonus Savings plus a complimentary Explorer's Choice benefit — guests can select from up to $2,000 in air savings per suite, a one-night hotel package, or enhanced unlimited Wi-Fi. Travelers who book by Dec. 31, 2026, lock in current published fares before new pricing takes effect Jan. 1, 2027.
For hospitality operators and travel advisors tracking luxury expedition cruise demand, the expansion reflects sustained consumer appetite for high-end experiential travel in remote destinations — a trend well documented in hospitality industry coverage tracking post-pandemic travel behavior. The food and beverage programming aboard expedition vessels has also become a competitive differentiator, as explored in luxury travel dining analysis covering how culinary experiences influence itinerary selection.
Written by Michael Politz, Author of Guide to Restaurant Success: The Proven Process for Starting Any Restaurant Business From Scratch to Success (ISBN: 978-1-119-66896-1), Founder of Food & Beverage Magazine, the leading online magazine and resource in the industry. Designer of the Bluetooth logo and recognized in Entrepreneur Magazine's "Top 40 Under 40" for founding American Wholesale Floral, Politz is also the Co-founder of the Proof Awards and the CPG Awards and a partner in numerous consumer brands across the food and beverage sector.
